Water-heater.



H. '8. HUMPHREY.

WATER HEATER.

' APPLIOATION FILED JAN.15, 1909.

1,006,556. Patented 0ct.24,1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I a Wane/am: a d I W W JaW I V m H H. S. HUMPHREY.

WATER HEATER.

API LIOATION'PILED JAN. 15, 1909. 1,006,556., Patented Oct. 24,1911.

H. s. HUMPHREY.- WATER HEATER. APPLICATION FILED 11.11.15, 1909.

1,006,556, Patented 001;. 24, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Witnesses ZWLZ M H. S. HUMPHREY.

WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.15, 1909.

Patented Oct. 24,1911;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

3141mm for witnuoeo M n srATEs PATENT oEFion.

HERBERT S. HUMPHREY, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

WATER-HEATER.

incense.

Specification of Letters Ifatent.

Patented Oct. 2.4:, 1911.

. Applicatioxi filed January 1-5, 1909. Serial No. 472,462.

: water and by the thermostat coacting the one with the other. Second, to provide in a water heater an improved valve mechanism for automatically controlling the temperature of the water while the water is being drawn. Third, to provide in a water heater an improved pilot flashing means. Fourth, to provide in a water heater an improved automatic control means which is very simple and efficient and not likely to get out of repair in use.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.-

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. v

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

' Figure 1 isa detail elevation of a struc-' ture embodying the features of my in'vention, a portion of the heater casing being broken-away to better show the arrange mcnt of the parts. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail vertical section through the Valve mechanism taken on a line corresponding 1 to line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail partially in section, on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an'enlarged detail partially in section on a line corresponding to line i t of Fig. 2. Fig-5 is an enlarged detail partially in section on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of a modified form of the valve mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of another modification of the valve mechanism.

In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawings, the heater 1 illustrated is of the coil type, the same being provided with a plurality of coils 2-, ar-

ranged in a vertical series. The casing of the heater is preferably double walled, to prevent radiation. The burners 4 are arranged in the base of the heater below the coils. The water supply is connected to. the

heater through the valve casing 5, which is provided with a water inlet 6, which is connected to a supply pipe as 6 and with a discharge 7, which is connected to. the heater through the inlet pipe 8 at the upper end of the coil.

The thermostat tube 9 is connected to the heater discharge or outlet pipe 10, the tube being in effect a part of the discharge or draw-oft" pipe. The house system, or draw-off 11, is connected to the upper end of the thermostat preferably through the valve' casing, an outlet or draw-off faucet as 12, being shown in the accompanying drawing. The fuel is supplied to the burners 4 through the valve casing 13, which is provided withan 14, connected to the source of supply, the connection not being here illustrated), and with an outlet 15, connected to the burners through the pipe 16. i

In the water valve casing '5- is awater inlet valve 17 which is adapted to-antomatically operate on the opening of the faucet 12 or the drawing of water from theheater. This valve is held normally in its closed position, by means of the spring 18, whichis arranged on-the stem 19 of the valve.

The fuel valve 20 is held normally against its seat by means of the spring 21. The stem 22 of the fuel valve is, in the structure illustrated, in Figs. 1 to 4, arranged at right angles to the stem 19 of the water valve, and Operating connections for the water valve to the fuel valve are provided 'so that the fuel valve is automatically opened on the opening of the water valve to admit the inlet water to the. heater. This operating connection preferably consists of a movable member 23 pivotally mounted on the stem of the water-actuated valve or member. This member 23 is arranged to reciprocatebetween the valve stem 22 of the fuel valve and the thermostat lever 24, the valve stem and the lever being preferably provided with friction rollers 25, as clearly appears from Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The thermostat lever 24 is connected to the thermostat member 28 by means of the lever 29 which is fulcrumed at 30 and arranged to rest on the upper end of the ther-' mostat member 28. This thermostat meniher is arranged within a tubular thermostat member 31, and in its turn is arranged in the thermostat tube 9. The arrangement of the v thermostat members 28 and 31 will be readily understood, the one being of a material having a greater degree. of vexpansibility than the other.

' The lever 24 is fulcrumed at 32, on an upwardly projecting arm on the yoke 33, by which thewater and the fuel valve casings are connected. This affords a convenient ar rangement of the parts. By this meansit will be obvious that the fuel valve is con-- trolled by the joint action of the inlet valve or the water-actuated member and the thermostat. When the outlet to the heater is open, the inlet valve 17 is automatically opened, and this, through the connection described opens the fuel valve.

The parts in the structure illustrated are so adjusted and arranged that the fuel valve will remain closed until opened by the joint action of the water inlet valve and the thermostat. The parts may be so adapted that the thermostat will act upon the gas valve to open the samewhen the temperature of the water in the thermostat falls below the predetermined point. When water is not being drawn, from the heater and the structure illustrated in this application or in my Patent No. 928,311 is adjusted as above indicated the thermostat will actuate the gas valve to maintain the water at a comparatively constant temperature.

The burners are provided with a pilot 34 which is-connected to the gas or fuel valve casing 13 by means of the pipe 35. When the pilot valve 36 is open, the pilot is flashed. This valve is provided with a stem 37 which is engaged by lever 38, pivoted at 39 on the yoke 33. On the stem 19 of the water valve is a trip 40, which isarranged to engage this lever on the opening movement of the inlet valve, thereby flashing the pilot. This trip is so arranged relative to the engaging member 27 on the movable member 23 that the pilot is flashed before the burner valve is opened. The lever 38 is also preferably arranged to be engaged by the movable member 23, so that the pilot is actuated through the thermostat. To accomplish this, I provide'the member 23 with a cam member 41, arranged to engage the cam poition 42 on the lever 38-. This also secures the opening of the gas valve, without the aid of the trip 40, unless the thermostatshould be in such a condition or position as to allow the lever 24 to swing up, thus allowing the member 23 to be lifted, instead .of opening the gas or fuel valve. The trip 40, however, insures the opening of the pilot valve before the opening of the mam 'valve, when the water inlet valve is opened.

This is-especially desirable where the structure is adapted to normally maintain the vided for the pilot and this is controlled by a suitable adjusting valve 46. I

The valve casing,13 is preferably provided with a cut-off valve 47 which can be used when it is desired to cut off the gas entirely from the burners.

The hot water discharge passage 58 of the valve casing 5' is'preferably provided with a regulating valve 59 for regulating the passage of water through the heater.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 6 the relation of the fuel valve to the water inlet valve is changed, the stem of the fuel valve being substantially in alinement with the stem of the water inlet valve, instead of being at right angles thereto as is shown in the structure illustrated in detail in Fig. 1.' In this construction the fuel valve is operated through' the lever 50, which is'pivoted at 51 on the connecting yoke for 'the valve casing, and a lever en; gaging-plunger 52 which is arranged to be engaged by the member 23. This plun er is held normally upward by means 0' a spring 53, which is arranged'in a seat 54, provided therefor, in the valve connecting yoke. The stem 55 of the plunger is preferably arranged through the lever so that the lever is held normally upward by the spring 53. I

In the modified construction shown in incense Fig. 7, the movable member 57 is carried by the thermostat lever 24, it being pivoted thereon to depend between the stems of the fuel and water inlet valves, the movable member being tapered or Wedge shaped, so that it is withdrawn from or forced into position to be engaged by the valve stems.

.These modifications have been shown to illustrate the general nature of my inven; tion, and other modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates.

I have illustrated and-described my in vention in detail in the form preferred by me on account of structural simplicityland economy, and the stability of the device when in use. I am, however, aware that it is, as stated, capable of great variation in structural details without departing from my invention, and desire to be understood as claiming the same broadly.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lot ters Patent is: 1

1. The'combination with a water heater of a burner therefor, and an automatic water inlet valve; a fuel valve; stems for said valves; a thermostat connected to said heater; a lever actuated by said thermostat; a member pivoted on said water valve stem and arranged to reciprocate between said lever and fuel valve stem, said pivoted member being provided with an enlargement; a pilot; a pilot valve; a pivoted lever arranged to engage said pilot valve; and trips on said water inlet valve stem and on said member pivoted thereto arranged to engage said pilot valve lever.

2. The combination With a water heater of a burner therefor, and an automatic water inlet valve; a fuel valve; stems for said valves; a thermostat connected to said heater; a lever actuated by said thermostat; a member pivoted on said watervalve stem and arranged to reciprocate between said lever and fuel valve stem, said pivoted member being provided with an enlargement; a pilot; a pilot valve; a pivoted lever arranged to engage said pilot valve; and a trip on said water inlet valve stem arranged to engage said pilot valve lever. I

8. The combination with a water heater of a burner therefor, and an automatic water lever.

' a. The combination with a Water heater of a burner therefor, and an automatic Water inlet valve; a fuel valve; stems for said valves; a thermostat connected to said heater; a lever actuated by said thermostat; a member pivoted on said Water valve stem and arranged to engage said lever and fuel valve stems; a pilot; a pilot valve; and operating connections from said water valve and saidmember mounted thereon, to said pilot-'- valve, whereby said pilot valve is actuated by said water valve and said. thermostat.

5. The combination with a water heater of aburner therefor, and an automatic Water inlet valve; a fuel valve; stems for said valves; a thermostat connected to said heater; a lever actuated by said thermostat; a member pivoted on said water valve stem and arranged to engage said lever and fuel valve stems so that said fuel valve is opened by the joint action of said inlet valve and thermostat lever; a'pilot; a pilot valve; and operating connections for said member on said water valve stem and said pilot valve.

0. The combination with a water heater of a burner therefor, and an automatic Water inlet valve; a fuel valve; stems for said alves; a thermostat connected to said heater; a lever actuated by said thermostat; a member pivoted on said water valve stem and arranged to engage said lever and fuel alvestem; a pilot; a. pilot valve; and operating connections for said member pivoted to said valve stem to said pilot valve.

7. The combination with a water heater, of a. burner therefor; a fuel valve; a wateractuated member; a thermostat; a movable member through which said thermostat and said water-actuated member coaot in controlling said fuel valves; a pilot; a pilot valve; a pivoted lever arranged to engage said pilot valve; and trips on said water- 'actuated member and on said movable member arranged to engage said pilot valve lever.

8. The combination with a water heater, of a burner therefpr; a fuel valve; a wateractuated member; a thermostat; a movable member through which said thermostat and said miter-actuated member coactin controlling said fuel valve; a pilot; a pilot valve; a pivoted love arranged to engage of a burner therefor; a fuel valve; a pilot;

on 'said water a pilot valve; a water-actuated member; a

thermostat; a movable member through which said thermostat and said water-ac tuated member coact in controlling said fuel valve; and operating connections for said movable member to said pilot valve.

11. The combination with a water heater,

of a burner therefor and an automatic Water inlet valve, a fuel valve, stems for said valves, a member pivoted on said Water valve stem, arranged to slidably engage said fuel valve stem, a pilot, a pilot valve, operating connections from said water valve and said member on said water valve stem to said pilot valve, a thermostat connected to said heater, and a lever actuated by said thermostat, arranged to act on said member specified.

12. The combination with a water heater, of a burner therefor and an automatic Water inlet valve, a fuel valve, stems for said valves, a member pivoted on said Water valve stem, arranged to slidably engage said fuel valve stem, a pilot, a pilot valve, operating connections from said member on said water valve stem to said pilot valve, a thermostat connected to said heater, and a lever actuated by said thermostat, arranged to act on said member on said water valve stem,

all enacting as specified.

13. The combination with a water heater, of a burner therefor, a pilot, a fuel valve, a pilot valve, a water actuated member, a

thermostat, and a member through which both said water actuated member and thermostat act in controlling said fuel and pilot valves. I

14. The combination with a water heater,

40 of a burner; a pilot, a fuel valve, a pilot I valve, a water actuated member arranged to act on both of said valves, and a thermostat arranged to act on both of said valves.

15. The combination with a waterheater,

of a fuel valve, amember actuated bythe delivery of water to the heater, a movable member through which said Water actuated member .acts on said fuel valve, and a thermostat'actuated member arranged to support said movable member in its valve operating position, so that said fuel valve is.

opened by the actuation of said water actuated member when the temperature of the water drawn from the heater is'below a predetermined point.

16. The combination with a water heater, of heating means therefor, comprising a fuel valve, and means for operating said fuel valve, comprising a member arranged 'to be actuated by the delivery of water to the heater, and a thermostat connected to said heater and arranged to support said water actuated member in its actuating relation to said fuel valve.

valve stem, all coacting as of a fuel valve, a water actuated member controlled by variations of the water pres sure, a 'movable member carried by said water actuated member and arranged to engage said fuel valve, a thermostat, and a member actuated by .said thermostat, arranged to support said movable member in position to act on said valve.

19. The combination with a water heater',

of a fuel valve, a water actuated member controlled by var ations of the water pressure, a thermostat, and means for controlling said fuel valve comprising a member actuated ,by said water actuated member, and a member actuated by said thermostat, said member actuated by said thermostat being adapted to serve as a support for said member actuated by said water .actuated member whereby the fuel valve is opened by the joint action of the thermostat and water actuated members. 20. The combination with a water heater, of an automatic water inlet valve,- a fuel valve, stems for said valves, a thermostat connected to said heater, a lever. actuated by said thermostat, and a member pivoted on said water 'valve stem and arranged to reciprocate between said lever and fuel valve with an enlargement which engages said thermostat lever and fuel valvestems when said water valve is fully opened.

21. The combination with a water heater,

of'a water actuated member, a thermostat connected to said heater, a fuel-valve, and operating ,connectionsfor said thermostat and water actuated member to the said fuel valve including a taperedmember carried by said water actuated member and arranged to act on said fuel valve, and a thermostat member arranged to act on said tapered member to support it in its operative relation to said valve.

22. Thecombination with a water heater of a fuel valve, 9. water actuated member, a.

thermostat connected to'said heater, a the! mostat actuated member, a member interposed between said thermostat actuated .stems, said pivoted member being provided member and said fuel valve, to be supported laterallythereby, said interposed member being connected to said wateractuated memher to be moved longitudinally thereby.

23. The combination of a water heater of a Water actuated member, athermostat con- In witness whereof, I have hereunto 'set nected to said heater, 2 fuel alve, a thermy hand and seal in the presence of two mostat actuated member, a tapered member witnesses.

interposed to reciprocate betweensaid ther- HERBERT S. HUMPHREY. [L. 8.] mostat actuated member and said fuel valve, Wltnessesz said tapered member being connected to said CLoRA E. BRADEN,

Water actueted member. PHINA WOODRUFF.

KJopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner offlatents Washington; D. G. 

